Backyard Chicken Flock & Egg Calculator
Rule of thumb: 4 square feet of coop and about 10 square feet of run per standard hen. Six hens need about 24 square feet of coop and 60 of run, eat about 1.5 pounds of layer feed a day and lay roughly 29 eggs a week. Bantams need about half the space.
Tell us how many hens you keep and their breed's laying rate. We will estimate your eggs per week and year, daily layer feed, the minimum coop and run space your flock needs, and how much water to provide. Planning the budget too? Try the cost of raising chickens tool.
Count only hens of laying age. Roosters and chicks do not lay.
Not sure? See our egg laying by breed chart.
Keeping small birds? See our bantam chicken breeds guide for sizes, eggs, and care.
Your flock at a glance
eggs per week (peak)
eggs per year (realistic range)
About a quarter pound (110g) per standard hen per day
Roughly how much to buy each month
8 to 10 sq ft per bird in the run. More is always better.
About 1 to 2 cups per bird, doubling in hot weather
One box per 3 to 4 hens is plenty
These are planning estimates based on typical backyard breeds and poultry-extension guidance. Real results vary with age, breed, weather, daylight, molt, and diet. Hens lay far less during molt and short winter days unless you add supplemental light, which is why the yearly figure is shown as a range. Always provide feed and water free-choice rather than rationing.
Gear to set your flock up right
Coop size, feed and eggs by flock size
| Hens | Coop floor | Run | Layer feed per day | Eggs per week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12 sq ft | 30 sq ft | 0.75 lb | about 14 |
| 4 | 16 sq ft | 40 sq ft | 1 lb | about 19 |
| 6 | 24 sq ft | 60 sq ft | 1.5 lb | about 29 |
| 10 | 40 sq ft | 100 sq ft | 2.5 lb | about 48 |
| 12 | 48 sq ft | 120 sq ft | 3 lb | about 58 |
Standard-size hens of a strong laying breed (about 250 eggs a year) at peak; winter and molt cut egg numbers. Run space uses the upper end of the 8 to 10 sq ft per hen range the calculator shows. Space and feed figures are common planning conventions from university poultry extension guides, not legal minimums. Updated 2026. Researched, not professional advice.
Chicken Calculator FAQ
How big should a chicken coop be for 6 chickens?
Plan about 24 square feet of coop floor for 6 standard hens, using the common 4 square feet per bird, plus about 60 square feet of attached run at roughly 10 square feet each. Add 8 to 10 inches of roost per hen and one nesting box for every 3 or 4 hens. Bantams need about half that space; heavy breeds like Brahmas appreciate more.
How many eggs will my chickens lay?
A healthy hen of a good laying breed lays roughly 250 to 300 eggs per year at her peak, which works out to about 5 or 6 eggs a week. Heritage and ornamental breeds lay less, often 150 to 200 a year. This calculator multiplies your hen count by your chosen breed laying rate, then adjusts for the natural dips during molt and short winter days.
When do hens start laying?
Most hens reach point of lay around 18 to 22 weeks of age, though heavier breeds can take until 24 to 28 weeks. The first eggs are often small and sometimes oddly shaped, which is completely normal. Laying ramps up over the first month or so, so a young flock will not hit its full estimated total right away.
How much feed does a chicken eat per day?
A standard laying hen eats roughly a quarter pound of feed per day, which is about 110 to 120 grams, or close to a half cup of layer pellets. Cold weather, free-ranging, and body size all shift that number. Bantams eat much less, while large dual-purpose birds eat a bit more. Always keep feed available free-choice rather than rationing it.
Do my hens need a rooster to lay eggs?
No. Hens lay eggs with or without a rooster. You only need a rooster if you want fertile eggs to hatch chicks. Many backyard keepers skip roosters entirely, both for quieter mornings and because some towns do not allow them. A flock of hens will lay perfectly well on their own.
How much coop and run space do chickens need?
Plan for about 4 square feet of coop floor per standard hen inside, plus 8 to 10 square feet per bird in the attached run. More space is always better and helps prevent boredom, feather picking, and bullying. Crowding is one of the most common causes of behavior problems in backyard flocks, so size up if you can.
How much water do chickens drink?
A chicken drinks roughly 1 to 2 cups of water a day, and more in hot weather when intake can double. As a rule of thumb, plan for about half a liter per bird per day and always provide more capacity than you think you need. Clean, fresh water is one of the biggest drivers of steady egg production.
Why did my egg count drop?
A sudden drop is usually seasonal and normal. Hens slow down or stop during their annual molt in fall, and lay far less in the short days of winter unless you add supplemental light. Stress, a move, predators, broodiness, age, and low-calcium diets also lower production. This tool builds in a realistic seasonal range rather than promising peak numbers year round.
